Title: Time to Die
Author: Caroline Mitchell
Release Date: 24th September 2015
Rating: 4 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture who gave me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
'Time to Die' is a wonderful page turning thriller that would appeal to anyone who enjoys a good story with a supernatural element running through it. This is the second in Caroline Mitchell's DC Jennifer Knight series and is every bit as good as the first.
I don't like to give too much away when I review books like this one as I think it's so much better to go into it without knowing any of the twists and turns that happen along the way. All I will say is that 'Time to Die' is a beautifully written crime novel with a surprising supernatural twist. Once started it is very difficult to put down and if you're anything like me, you will find yourself reading long into the night until the final thrilling page has been turned.
As a big fan of James Oswald's Tony McLean series, I've been looking for another author with a similar love of the supernatural, and I'm happy to say I think I've found her in the shape of Caroline Mitchell. Definitely an author I will look out for in the future.
A fabulous 4 star read. Highly recommended.
Wednesday, 23 September 2015
Sunday, 13 September 2015
Book Review - Charlie and Pearl by Tammy Robinson
Title: Charlie and Pearl
Author: Tammy Robinson
Rating: 4 stars
Charlie and Pearl is a quick read that has a writing style with a lovely flow to it that makes it very difficult to put down. I can't say too much without giving something away, so I'll keep this review short and to the point.
It's a beautifully written love story that gently flows along for the first half of the book, but then takes a couple of unexpected turns that culminate in an ending that will take your breath away.
This is a book that will most likely divide opinion. Some people will love the ending, while others (and I am one of them) will understand it but not like it.
A beautifully written love story that will tug at your heartstrings and will definitely give you food for thought. Tammy Robinson is a new author to me, but one I will look out for in the future. Her writing style is beautiful.
A tearjerking 4 stars.
Author: Tammy Robinson
Rating: 4 stars
Charlie and Pearl is a quick read that has a writing style with a lovely flow to it that makes it very difficult to put down. I can't say too much without giving something away, so I'll keep this review short and to the point.
It's a beautifully written love story that gently flows along for the first half of the book, but then takes a couple of unexpected turns that culminate in an ending that will take your breath away.
This is a book that will most likely divide opinion. Some people will love the ending, while others (and I am one of them) will understand it but not like it.
A beautifully written love story that will tug at your heartstrings and will definitely give you food for thought. Tammy Robinson is a new author to me, but one I will look out for in the future. Her writing style is beautiful.
A tearjerking 4 stars.
Tuesday, 8 September 2015
Book Review - The Murderer's Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who gave me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Jonathan Kellerman book, but it definitely won't be my last. It drew me in from the very first page when we meet Grace for the first time as a little girl. She's a fascinating character that will stay with me for a long time to come, and is one that I hope to meet again in future novels. I have a feeling that her future is going to be every bit as interesting as her past has been.
The Murderer's Daughter is told both in the past and the present day. The sections of the story dealing with Grace's past were fascinating and I found it very difficult to put the book down during these parts of the story. Although the present day aspect of the story did drag a little in places, the flashbacks to Grace's past were enthralling and more than made up for it.
It's difficult to place this book in any particular genre. It does have some aspects of a psychological thriller, especially the parts told in the present day, but it is so much more than that.
It's a book that ended up being very different to anything I've ever read before and I enjoyed it immensely. An excellent 4 star read. Recommended.
This was my first Jonathan Kellerman book, but it definitely won't be my last. It drew me in from the very first page when we meet Grace for the first time as a little girl. She's a fascinating character that will stay with me for a long time to come, and is one that I hope to meet again in future novels. I have a feeling that her future is going to be every bit as interesting as her past has been.
The Murderer's Daughter is told both in the past and the present day. The sections of the story dealing with Grace's past were fascinating and I found it very difficult to put the book down during these parts of the story. Although the present day aspect of the story did drag a little in places, the flashbacks to Grace's past were enthralling and more than made up for it.
It's difficult to place this book in any particular genre. It does have some aspects of a psychological thriller, especially the parts told in the present day, but it is so much more than that.
It's a book that ended up being very different to anything I've ever read before and I enjoyed it immensely. An excellent 4 star read. Recommended.
Friday, 14 August 2015
Book Review - Moving by Jenny Eclair
Title: Moving
Author: Jenny Eclair
Release Date: July 2015
Rating: 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley who gave me an ARC of 'Moving' in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not quite sure what I expected when I started this book, but it definitely wasn't this perfect little gem of a novel. I only know of Jenny Eclair as the quick witted, hilarious comedienne and had no idea that she was an accomplished author, so this wonderful story came as a complete surprise to me. Heartbreaking, bittersweet, yet laugh out loud funny at times, this book has moments that completely take your breath away.
The story is told by three very different narrators, the first being Edwina, who I fell in love with from the moment we first meet her. After more than 50 years living in the same house, Edwina has decided that the time has come to sell up and move away. As she begins the long, arduous task of getting her house ready for sale, the memories begin to flood back and we are taken on a journey throughout the years. What follows is a moving, very real story of a life well lived. Of love, losses, happiness, heartbreak and the many unexpected twists and turns our lives can take us.
The story is then taken up by two other narrators who shed light on the events of the past, which lead us to a moving, bittersweet, yet ultimately uplifting conclusion.
I loved this book from beginning to end and savoured every beautifully written word, especially Edwina's story, which felt very real to me. She is a character who I think will stay with me for a long time to come.
An excellent 5 stars. A highly recommended read.
Author: Jenny Eclair
Release Date: July 2015
Rating: 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley who gave me an ARC of 'Moving' in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not quite sure what I expected when I started this book, but it definitely wasn't this perfect little gem of a novel. I only know of Jenny Eclair as the quick witted, hilarious comedienne and had no idea that she was an accomplished author, so this wonderful story came as a complete surprise to me. Heartbreaking, bittersweet, yet laugh out loud funny at times, this book has moments that completely take your breath away.
The story is told by three very different narrators, the first being Edwina, who I fell in love with from the moment we first meet her. After more than 50 years living in the same house, Edwina has decided that the time has come to sell up and move away. As she begins the long, arduous task of getting her house ready for sale, the memories begin to flood back and we are taken on a journey throughout the years. What follows is a moving, very real story of a life well lived. Of love, losses, happiness, heartbreak and the many unexpected twists and turns our lives can take us.
The story is then taken up by two other narrators who shed light on the events of the past, which lead us to a moving, bittersweet, yet ultimately uplifting conclusion.
I loved this book from beginning to end and savoured every beautifully written word, especially Edwina's story, which felt very real to me. She is a character who I think will stay with me for a long time to come.
An excellent 5 stars. A highly recommended read.
Book Review - The Betrayal by Laura Elliott
Title: The Betrayal
Author: Laura Elliott
Release Date: 14th August 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture who gave me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I found 'The Betrayal' to be a bit of a slow burn to start with, but it soon ratcheted up the tension until I was desperate to find out what was going to happen next, terrified of what was to come. A psychological thriller with many twists and turns, some easy to guess, others not so easy, but all building up to a thrilling and emotionally satisfying conclusion. A definite page turner, that once started was very difficult to put down.
Nadine and Jake's troubled marriage and 'perfect divorce' was very real and believable. I quickly came to care about what happened to them and genuinely became scared for their safety, and for the safety of their 4 children. And though Karin was a character I felt no sympathy for to begin with, by the end of the novel I could understand why she felt the way she did a little bit more and, as scary as she was, could see why her psyche had become so damaged and fragmented by the shocking events of her past.
A chilling, page turner of a read and one I highly recommend. 4 stars.
Available now.
Author: Laura Elliott
Release Date: 14th August 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture who gave me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I found 'The Betrayal' to be a bit of a slow burn to start with, but it soon ratcheted up the tension until I was desperate to find out what was going to happen next, terrified of what was to come. A psychological thriller with many twists and turns, some easy to guess, others not so easy, but all building up to a thrilling and emotionally satisfying conclusion. A definite page turner, that once started was very difficult to put down.
Nadine and Jake's troubled marriage and 'perfect divorce' was very real and believable. I quickly came to care about what happened to them and genuinely became scared for their safety, and for the safety of their 4 children. And though Karin was a character I felt no sympathy for to begin with, by the end of the novel I could understand why she felt the way she did a little bit more and, as scary as she was, could see why her psyche had become so damaged and fragmented by the shocking events of her past.
A chilling, page turner of a read and one I highly recommend. 4 stars.
Available now.
Monday, 3 August 2015
Book Review - Life or Death by Michael Robotham
Title: Life or Death
Author: Michael Robotham
Rating: 5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher who gave me an ARC of 'Life or Death' in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, what can I say? Yet another thrilling novel from Michael Robotham, an author whose books I've enjoyed for many years. In 'Life or Death' he takes a break from his Joe O'Loughlin series to bring us a standalone novel that is every bit as good as his previous work.
What would make Audie Palmer, a man who has been in prison for the last ten years, decide to break out one day before his release? What follows is a tale reminiscent of 'The Shawshank Redemption', with many twists, turns and shocks along the way that once started is very difficult to put down.
It is told through both present day narrative and flashbacks that allow the story to unfold gradually, until we have the full, horrifying story of why Audie would escape from prison so close to release, and exactly what the incentive for his actions throughout the book are.
A fast paced and gripping read that I would highly recommend. A well deserved 5 stars. Available now.
Author: Michael Robotham
Rating: 5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher who gave me an ARC of 'Life or Death' in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, what can I say? Yet another thrilling novel from Michael Robotham, an author whose books I've enjoyed for many years. In 'Life or Death' he takes a break from his Joe O'Loughlin series to bring us a standalone novel that is every bit as good as his previous work.
What would make Audie Palmer, a man who has been in prison for the last ten years, decide to break out one day before his release? What follows is a tale reminiscent of 'The Shawshank Redemption', with many twists, turns and shocks along the way that once started is very difficult to put down.
It is told through both present day narrative and flashbacks that allow the story to unfold gradually, until we have the full, horrifying story of why Audie would escape from prison so close to release, and exactly what the incentive for his actions throughout the book are.
A fast paced and gripping read that I would highly recommend. A well deserved 5 stars. Available now.
Thursday, 23 July 2015
Book Review - Bones In The Nest by Helen Cadbury
Title: Bones In The Nest
Author: Helen Cadbury
Release Date: 23rd July 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to the publisher who sent me an ARC of 'Bones In The Nest' in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Helen Cadbury novel, but it definitely won't be my last. A thrilling and fast paced crime story that has a very believable and likeable main character in Sean Denton. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and a few surprises along the way. The story moves along quickly and once started is very hard to put down until the final page has been turned.
This is the second book in the Sean Denton series, but can be read quite easily as a standalone novel. However, reading 'Bones In The Nest' has definitely made me want to learn more, so I shall be purchasing my copy of 'To Catch A Rabbit' (the first in the series) as soon as possible.
I hope Helen Cadbury has more Sean Denton books in the pipeline, as I will definitely be first in the queue to buy them if she does! Highly recommended.
A thrilling 4 stars.
Author: Helen Cadbury
Release Date: 23rd July 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to the publisher who sent me an ARC of 'Bones In The Nest' in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Helen Cadbury novel, but it definitely won't be my last. A thrilling and fast paced crime story that has a very believable and likeable main character in Sean Denton. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and a few surprises along the way. The story moves along quickly and once started is very hard to put down until the final page has been turned.
This is the second book in the Sean Denton series, but can be read quite easily as a standalone novel. However, reading 'Bones In The Nest' has definitely made me want to learn more, so I shall be purchasing my copy of 'To Catch A Rabbit' (the first in the series) as soon as possible.
I hope Helen Cadbury has more Sean Denton books in the pipeline, as I will definitely be first in the queue to buy them if she does! Highly recommended.
A thrilling 4 stars.
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